What would cause a furnace to not shut off?

Author: Mr. Adolf Ernser PhD  |  Last update: Wednesday, November 19, 2025

It could be the wrong thermostat setting is being used, a clogged air filter or your thermostat itself is no longer working properly. When you have a heating system not shutting off, this issue makes it difficult to maintain the desired temperature inside the home.

How do you fix a furnace that won't turn off?

If your gas furnace won't turn off, it could be due to a faulty thermostat or a problem with the furnace's limit switch. Start by checking the thermostat settings and making sure it's not set too high. If that doesn't work, try turning off the furnace at the breaker and then back on again.

How do you fix a furnace that keeps running?

When a furnace runs constantly, it probably means that something is dirty or clogged. The filter is the first thing you want to check, especially if you do not replace your filter as often as recommended (once a month during the heating season).

What would cause a furnace not to kick off?

The cause of your furnace not blowing hot air could be the thermostat configuration, a dirty air filter, the high limit switch, a clogged condensate line, insufficient fuel, leaky ducts, ignition problems, a blocked burner, flame sensor issues, gas valve malfunctions, a cracked heat exchanger, or a clogged coil.

Why does my furnace keep running even when the thermostat is off?

A fan may continue to run even when the furnace thermostat is off for several reasons: Fan Limit Switch Setting: The fan limit switch controls the operation of the fan. If it's set to run continuously or if it's malfunctioning, the fan may continue to operate even when the heating system is off.

FURNACE won't shut off! Top reasons why your furnace keeps running

Why would a furnace run continuously?

The most common reason why a furnace run continuously is because of a dirty furnace filter.

What to do if heating won't turn off?

Check the Thermostat

Your thermostat controls your furnace and basically tells the unit when to turn on and off. It's often to blame when your furnace won't stop running. Sometimes having the heat turn off is as easy as adjusting an incorrect thermostat setting. Make Sure Your Thermostat is Set to “Auto”.

Why is my furnace blower not shutting off?

Problem 1: Incorrect thermostat settings The most common reason for a furnace fan that won't shut off or a furnace blowing cold air and won't shut off is the wrong thermostat settings. The solution: Check the thermostat settings. The fan setting should be on AUTO. If it's set to ON, the furnace fan won't shut off.

How to tell if a thermostat is bad?

A bad thermostat can be detected when your AC or furnace is not turning on, your HVAC systems are not turning off, the thermostat not responding, your HVAC system is short-cycling, the room temperature not matching the temperature displayed on the thermostat, and the programmed setting resetting themselves.

What is a hard reset on a furnace?

The purpose of the reset button on a furnace is to shut it down before it can trip your circuit breaker. The need for this may arise if the furnace becomes too hot, or if there is some sort of electrical system interruption.

Why won't my HVAC shut off?

Malfunctions affecting different system components can prevent the conditioner unit from shutting down as expected, such as a clogged air filter, a frozen evaporator coil, a faulty electrical relay switch, a dirty condenser coil, a constantly blowing fan, a bad thermostat, low refrigerant, and other HVAC system repair ...

What would cause a blower motor to continuously run?

A Bad Circuit Board or Shorted Wire. The circuit board or wiring in your furnace may be faulty, causing the fan to run continuously. This is a complicated problem that requires professional furnace repair.

Why does my furnace keep kicking on?

A furnace cycling on and off repeatedly can be caused by various reasons, from dirty filters and obstructions in ducts and registers to incorrect thermostat settings and faulty limit switches. By following the steps above, you can help prevent your furnace from cycling too frequently and save energy costs.

Can a bad thermostat cause a furnace to run continuously?

Your furnace could be running constantly because either your thermostat isn't set correctly or is malfunctioning and not properly signaling the furnace when to turn on and off.

Why is my heating staying on when it's turned off?

Why are my radiators not turning off? To conclude, if your radiators are not turning off when the heating is off there is likely a problem with the diverter, check, or solenoid valve. If these valves get stuck they will keep sending hot water to the radiators even when the heating thermostat is off.

Why won't my furnace stop running?

But when your furnace won't shut off, the thermostat is often the first place to inspect. A common issue is incorrect settings. Make sure your thermostat isn't set to a constant “heat” or “on” mode, which can cause the furnace to run continuously.

How do I know if I need a new thermostat?

If your thermostat has fresh batteries but suddenly lacks power, flashes, or isn't responsive to adjustments, it may need replacement. If resetting the thermostat doesn't resolve the problem, you may have wiring problems or faulty components causing your thermostat to not turn on.

Can a low battery in a thermostat affect the furnace?

Yes, a dying battery in your thermostat can have an impact on your HVAC system. If your thermostat's battery is low, it can cause your HVAC unit to function erratically or potentially not at all. Your thermostat plays a huge role in how your HVAC unit functions as it regulates the temperature of your system.

Why does the furnace keep running?

Your blower is probably the cause of a constantly running furnace if the system is turned on but doesn't produce any warm air. Corroded wires or a blown fuse can cause this issue. Since this problem involves electrical components, contact a technician to fix the problem safely.

Do all furnace blower motors have a reset button?

First of all, be aware that not all furnaces have a reset button; however, most do. If your electric furnace has one, it's most likely located within the blower housing, next to the motor. If you own a gas furnace, it's probably located within the control panel. Check your owner's manual for specifics.

Why won't the fan turn off on my Honeywell thermostat?

If your furnace fan runs all the time, even when your thermostat is not calling for heat, check the fan switch on your thermostat, if it has one. It should be set to the “AUTO” position. If that's not the problem then you might have a bad temperature sensor in the furnace.

Why is my heat not shutting off?

A faulty thermostat can cause your heating unit to run and not turn off. The unit may have a broken heating sensor, the wiring may have gone bad, or the switch itself may have broken. The older the thermostat is, the more at risk you are for this happening. Fortunately, a broken thermostat is an extremely easy fix.

Why does my heat keep running after it has reached the set temperature?

A dirty air filter can get clogged and reduce air flow through your home's heating system. This means the air your furnace is heating isn't reaching your living spaces and causing your furnace to cycle on more often and work longer while it's on.

What do you do when your thermostat won't turn off?

Turn Off Your Heating System Manually

Some people try to raise the temperature of the thermostat. Many thermostats have a separate switch for cooled or heated air. You may be able to turn off the heat for your unit. If that doesn't work, then you might want to shut off the power.

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